prosecute
/ˈpɹɒsɪkjuːt/
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Also seen as: prosecutes · prosecuting · prosecuted
Sense 1
Meaning · English
To start criminal proceedings against.
Verb
Examples
to prosecute a man for trespass, or for a riot
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
To charge, try.
Verb
Examples
The Vigilante is prosecuted in Federal Court under a lynch bill and winds up in a Federal Nut House specially designed for the containment of ghosts […]
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “prosecute” mean?
To start criminal proceedings against.
Is “prosecute” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.